(WARNING: THIS CHAPTER MIGHT HAVE CONTENT THAT CAN BE CONSIDERED AS TRIGERRING. YOU CAN SKIP THE END PART IF YOU ARE SENSITIVE)
Izuku couldn't be more ecstatic as he saw the All Might figurine resting in his hands. Izuku tilted his head towards his mom, smiling as he did, "I- Is this really for me?!"
"And a lot of other merchandise that I'm planning to buy for you, yes," Inko smiled, patting her son gently in his back. "But don't get too excited yet. You still need to catch up on your studies, and if you slack off," Inko clicked her tongue teasingly.
Izuku chuckled, "Of course not, mom!"
"Good," Inko stood up, her face beaming up as she said again, "C'mon, up you go. Dinner is ready."
"Katsudon?!" Izuku jumped straight up from his crouched position, excited at the thought alone. "Best day ever!"
Inko shook her head as Izuku was headed towards the dining room, "That boy. Leave it to him to exaggerate things."
Both of them sat at the dining table, eating their fill. Izuku then spoke, "Mom."
Inko's brow raised, "Yes, hon?"
"Thanks," Izuku said in a genuine tone. "You know, for all of this. You didn't have to, after what happened.."
"Oh no, baby," Inko shook her head, smiling as she did. "What kind of mom would I be if I let you wallow in that empty room of yours for eternity? Of course I had to spice some things up for you."
Izuku simply nodded, as they both continue to eat in peace. After finishing their fill, Inko began, "How's Katsuki?"
Izuku's expression shifted grimly as he heard that name. This brought concern, of course. "Zuku? What's wrong?"
The boy swallowed the lump in his throat before replying, "He's fine."
"I don't know, I'm not convinced," Inko squinted her eyes. She pressed into the matter even more, "Is he?"
Izuku looked conflicted. His eyes trailed off somewhere, avoiding his mother's gaze. A flicker of tear briefly appeared, but he quickly whipped it away with his hand.
"Izuku," Inko leaned forward. "Please, don't withhold whatever it is that's troubling you from me. Walk me through it, slowly."
The boy finally met his mother's gaze, "He's been distant."
Inko raised her brow, "What?"
"Ever since the doctor said I was quirkless, uh," Izuku tried his best to compose himself. "He um, he... he's been avoiding me."
Izuku sniffed, shaking his head as he continued, "I- I don't mind, of course. I mean, who'd want to be friends with a quirkless failure like me."
He couldn't hold it anymore. Tears began to slide down his cheeks.
Inko sat besides Izuku, shifting closer to him, "Zuku. Look at me."
Izuku looked at Inko with a saddened look. Inko smiled at him, and said, "You're not a failure. Quirkless doesn't mean incapable. You are a capable person, Izuku, I know it."
"B- but-"
"No ifs, ands, or buts," Inko sternly said. "I want you to give instill in yourself the belief that you are a capable person, that you are intelligent, and that you still worth something. Besides, it's not like all hope is lost. You may be quirkless, but the quirk doesn't make the hero. It's the person."
"You really think so?" Izuku asked for reafformation.
Inko nodded, "And of course, it'd be more dangerous, but whatever path you choose, I'm with you."
Izuku looked at his mother thoughtfully. With a smile, Izuku quickly hugged her tightly, crying to her chest.
Inko simply rubbed circles in her son's back, smiling compassionately. It was only fair, after the immense disappointment she caused him days before.
Oh, and she was going to give Katsuki a piece of her mind. Being quirkless didn't excuse his behaviour towards her baby. He'd been nothing but kind to him.
"I'll become a hero, mom," Izuku declared, pulling away from her embrace. "That's the path that I choose. I'll do whatever it takes to become one."
Inko then decided to add, "Would that 'whatever it takes' include putting me out of the picture?" she smiled teasingly.
Izuku's eyes widened in shock as he frantically shook his head, "N- no! Of course not! Why would you-?!"
"Relax Zuku, I was only messing around," Inko chuckled.
Izuku laughed along, "You're the worst, mom."
Inko then looked at the clock, before saying, "I think it's time for you to go to bed."
Izuku sighed. "I will. I'm a bit tired, anyway," he said as he yawned, stretching his arms out. He then stood and headed towards his bedroom. "Goodnight, mom. I love you."
Inko returned the show of affection, "Love you too, kiddo."
She was tired herself, so she immediately walked in the direction of her bedroom. Before she could completely enter her room, she caught a glimpse of a picture.
A picture of her, Izuku, and a third boy.
Oh, how she badly missed him.
...
Inko was awake from what seemed like a split second after she was out. A nurse was tending to her from the right side, and the doctor was on her left. Her mind was disoriented. She couldn't remember what happened prior to her awakening.
She tried to move her feet, but couldn't. "Where.." she muttered.
The doctor smiled at her, "You're finally awake, Ms. Midoriya," he bowed to her slughtly.
"What happened," Inko asked, trying her best to move her legs, "Why can't I...my legs feel numb."
An inkling of dread filled her when the doctor opened his mouth to explain, "We've examined you while you were in a comatose state for months now, and I must inform you with a heavy heart that you are currently suffering a form of paralysis called 'Paraplegia', a disease that renders the lower parts of one's body immobilised. A cure is not certain, but treatment may help. We've planned out an extensive therapy for you, if you are willing."
Inko's heart dropped, though her thought about a certain person outweighed her fear about herself, "My son, Izuku, where is he?"
The doctor and the nurse exchanged looks, as if contemplating whether they should tell her or not.
"He's..." The nurse began.
The doctor finished for her, "I'm sorry to say this, but during the time that you were asleep, Izuku has been missing for a few months."
Inko's expression plumetted, "What do you mean 'he's missing'?! I.." the heart monitor besides her began to beep incessantly.
"Ma'am! Please, calm down," The doctor rushed to her side. "I assure you, the authorities are still working on this case."
"For a few months?!" Inko screamed. "No. It couldn't be. My baby wouldn't...he wouldn't...he promised, h- he..."
"Let's put your worries aside for now, shall we? For now, let's focus on your recuperation," The doctor suggested.
Inko shook her head, "I don't have the money for it. I'm sorry. Just..get me a wheelchair, I'll pay the fees when it's convenient-"
"Actually," The doctor cleared his throat as he relayed the information to her, "Your treatment has been covered by one of our entrusted benefactors, Hisashi Foundation. Special courtesy from the CEO himself."
Inko squinted her eyes and the realisation dawned on her, "My husband? But he's overseas. I don't- what?"
"It seems that even from a distance, your husband still deeply loves you," The doctor smiled. "Don't take it for granted."
Inko snorted, crossing her arms as she said, "I'd appreciate the gesture if not for the fact that our son is missing. Does he even know-?"
"He does," The doctor confirmed. "and he's involved with the investigation. He and the authorities are doing their best to find Izuku. And as for you, he told us that you are to stay here and recuperate."
Inko took a deep breath, before saying, "Am I supposed to trust him? After he ditched me- no, us- a few years back? I haven't even..look, can you put him on line? We need to talk. After years of absence, he can't just come back and act as if he is a part of our life now. Communication is important, and I can't just entrust the safety of my baby to someone who couldn't be bothered to give us a visit all those years ago."
The doctor was silent for a bit. He looked at the nurse, before returning his gaze back to Inko. "If it's within our power, we will. However, we can't guarantee you that we would be able to put him on line for you. Midoriya Hisashi is a very busy man, and I'm sure you can understand that."
"Just...try, okay? That's the least you could do," Inko calmly said. "And give me updates about Izuku. Please. At least relay a message to the authorities that I am owed this information."
The doctor nodded. "We will. Anything else that you need?"
"Nothing else, thank you," Inko shook her head, smiling. "Maybe a cup of tea, if you don't mind?"
The nurse on the right side chimed in, "Of course, ma'am," she said before exiting the infirmary room.
Inko then said to the doctor, "When will we start this...'extensive therapy'?"
"A few days from now, at best. You still need to rest for a little bit," The doctor replied.
Inko sighed, "We can do it tomorrow."
"Isn't that a bit too fast?" The doctor asked.
"I can't just stand idly by while my son is out there without a mother to watch him over. He's still young and I can't bear the thought of ever..." Inko trailed off, her mind concocting some of the most deplorable scenarios that it could muster.
The doctor looked at her for a while and sighed, "We'll see what we can do about it, as the specialist that we're calling over is not guaranteed to be available for tomorrow's schedule."
"Thanks. That's all I need," Inko nodded with a smile.
The doctor did likewise, before exiting the room. Inko was left to her own devices, to the peace and quiet of the infirmary room.
She looked at the television briefly, a news headline pampered at the bottom of the rectangle screen.
'Emerald Ghost is still at large: A result of pro-heroes being lenient?'
...
Another day, another expedition. And, as per usual, things spiraled out of control. Looking at the blood dipping from the tip of his blades, Izuku immediately unsheathed them, walking past the myriad of corpses.
'They were the worst of the worst. Human traffickers. Rapists. Murderers...' Izuku thought. It was fine, right?
Izuku closed his eyes, holding his breath. The smell of iron was tugging at his nostrils like a tender fabric, slipping through the gaps like a wolf in sheep's clothing.
It didn't matter how many times he tried to convince himself. None of this felt...right. He wasn't this. He didn't envision himself as a walking murder machine roaming around without facing the consequences of his actions.
'But what can I do, honestly?'
Izuku sighed, his back slightly hunched to the front.
'The only path to take is through.' He repeated the sentence in his mind over and over again like a mantra.
Then, something split between the air, and a swirling dark mist encircled the empty space. Izuku knew it was his cue to come back, like a trinket in his master's cumbersome grasp.
As he passed through the dark mist, he was greeted by a familiar sight.
"Κράτος," All For One said the name with delight. "You have done splendidly well today."
Izuku didn't so much as utter a word. Gratitude has no place in here.
All For One's smile lessened a little, "I see that you're as sour as usual."
Izuku was about to bit back with a snarky remark, but he held it in. All For One snorted, before continuing, "How was your today's expedition?"
"Enlightening," Izuku simply stated.
All For One frowned at that. "I see."
"Am I done for the day or is there anything else that I should do?" Izuku asked.
"I'm sure you're aware of the upcoming entrance exam that will take place tomorrow," All For One inquired.
Izuku nodded.
"And our friends at Akuma Academy of Heroes have already put certain additions to your files," All For One leaned forward. "I expect you to act accordingly once you step into the threshold of the most prestigious hero school in the entire country."
Izuku nodded again.
"I believe I don't have to wiggle the stakes in front of you," All For One placed his palms in each of the armplaces of his seat. "There is no place for failure, Midoriya."
Oh yes, always with the threats, Izuku thought bitterly.
Izuku stood straight, maintaining eye contact with the monster in front of him. He nodded once again, affirming his resolve. Dismissing himself, Izuku turned around to exit the cramped room.
But All For One stopped him, "Wait. I almost forgot."
Izuku stopped shortly after.
"Your blades, it's imperative that they stay with you at all times," All For One firmly stated. "They are a part of who you are now."
Izuku saw a problem with this as he said, "What if someone sees them?"
All For One then stretched out his hand, forming a purple orb hovering a few inches away from his palm, "I will lend you a quirk that will assist you with this particular problem. The quirk to render an object invisible for a determined amount of time."
All For One placed his palm on Izuku's forehead, and he could feel a surge of power coursing through his vein.
"Think of the object that you want to impart it's power on, and it will disappear at your command," All For One said.
Izuku did as All For One said, and it happened as he said it would. The blades were no longer sitting on his back.
"The effect of the quirk will wear out seven hours after it's initial use, and it'll be a few hours even more before you could use it again, so be mindful," All For One reminded.
Izuku nodded, before saying, "Anything else before I go?"
All For One gestured for him to go. Izuku was then headed to the encircling mist in front of him. As he was released from the smothering ambience of All For One's lair, he was now back in the bar.
Tomorrow was going to be a big day for him.
...
The visceral darkness broaded it's range; obscuring her vision as a whole. She didn't know how long she had been stuck in here. Had it been days? Months? Years, even? All hopes of her ever escaping this hell were already diminished.
No one was coming to safe her from them. She could only weep. Weep for the despair that this will bring her brother. Weep for the suffering she had to endure for years to come. How they dissected her, cut her piece by piece, only to be reassembled again.
Her quirk was a curse, they said. She was the reason her father died, they said. There was truth to them. With only a touch, she could annihilate anything from existence. Such volatile power is not to be left in the hands of a naive girl like her.
The door opened, revealing a man with a coat and a bird mask advancing towards her. The man said nothing further as he dragged her back to her feet, forcing her to come with him.
"Come now, don't resist," The man said, scoffing as he did. "You wouldn't want me to put these gloves off, would you?"
She stayed quiet. Anything but the pain those hands could inflict on her. To be destroyed and put back together again.
She didn't retaliate any further, keeping still as the man led her to another room. A testing ground, to be exact.
The room was vast, with square patterns adorning the walls like pretty trinkets. Sitting at the center was a tube-shaped machine with sparks of electricity rapidly growing in intensity.
Atop it, the words were written, 'Project Mira'.
No.
Are they going to...
"Oh, don't be so nervous," the man said. "In the end, you'll be just as new. Like always."
She shook her head. Anything but the pain. Anything but the unbearable, abhorrent-
"Listen here," the man gripped her by her shoulder tightly, slightly bruising it. "This is your chance to make things right and rectify the wrongs that you did with your quirk."
She shook her head even more rigorously, writhing a soft, "Please."
"I'm presenting you with two choices," the man crouched down to her level. "To remain a curse, or to break out of the status-quo."
She looked at the man intently. To be a curse, or to stop being one.
"Even if it's painful," the man said, his sinister figure closing in. "You deserve it, don't you? After what you did to daddy dearest."
It struck her where it hurt the most.
"Besides, you'd be doing the world a favour," the man exclaimed. "Your pain is for the salvation of the entire world. A ransom for many, as one would say."
She could do something right for a change. Yes. She would. Even if it was painful, she deserved it. After what she did, her miserable existence could be exploited for the greater good of everyone else.
Then, she made a resounding decision to not retaliate. She nodded, complying.
The man stood up, his lips curled malignantly. "Good choice, Eri."
Then, all that followed afterwards was pain. Excruciating, unbearable pain, as her body parts were disassembled into every direction.